FIRE & LIGHT DESIGN

The finishing touch to complete any landscape design is the addition of an element of fire and/or night lighting.

A small dancing flame at the edge of a courtyard or near a water feature adds an element of timeless elegance to any project.  The warmth of the flame allows people to instantly relax and lose track of time.  With today’s busy lifestyles, many clients are not able to enjoy their landscape until later in the evening.  This makes the need for landscape lighting that much more crucial.  With the advancement in low voltage lighting systems, dramatic light shows can be created that are very economical to run and environmentally responsible.  Lighting draws the eye out into the landscape from inside and calls us out to our outdoor space.  Small yards can seem unending with the proper use of lighting effects to accentuate texture and different vistas.  When lighting is used to showcase water features, an ever changing light show can draw in the senses for what seems like an eternity.  Subtle landscape lighting also serves many practical purposes such as to get us from place to place safely while traversing paths and stairs and creating some security by lighting dark corners.  Entrance columns and lights guide our guests to the door or down the garden path to discover new spaces after dark.

With the addition of a built in fireplace or fire feature additional time can be added to shoulder season entertaining.  A fireplace becomes the focal point for casual dining or entertaining and can take the chill out of the evening air.  People congregate around a fire naturally so built in natural stone seating is an excellent complement to create a quaint entertainment space without the need for additional furniture.  A natural stone hearth on the fireplace is a wonderful place to warm up after an evening swim.

Built in barbeques and outdoor kitchens add a strong architectural element to any design.  Instead of a barbeque being an eyesore that we try to hide, we can make them become a piece of art within the landscape.  Integrating the element into the landscape with the use of natural stone allows the utility to become part of the landscape even when not in use.

Fire and Light can:

• extend the usability of a space to both after dark and into the fall and winter
• enhance textures of plants and accentuate water features after dark
• highlight spaces and paths for safety and guidance
• provide space for cooking and gathering
• adds warmth to outdoor spaces
• draws people into their outdoor space
• creates focal points and adds a new dynamic to your space at night